Cytokines and growth factors are small, multifunctional proteins that play critical roles in controlling development and regulating the body's responses to disease and infection. Among the clinical applications for cytokine and growth factor research are cancer immunotherapy, wound healing, allergy relief, animal health, treatment of autoimmune disorders, anti-viral therapy, obesity and disease diagnosis. With all of these potential benefits, it is not surprising that pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are spending large sums of money to find new ways to analyze and modulate the activities of cytokines and growth factors. Research in the cytokine and growth factor field has focused on the following key areas: determining the biological functions of known cytokines and growth factors, discovering novel proteins, identifying cell surface receptors that bind cytokines and growth factors, elucidating the biological pathways by which these molecules effect cellular changes, measuring protein levels, and modulating cytokine and growth factor activity. Although cytokines and growth factors have been studied for many years, these molecules are taking on new importance for two main reasons: (1) sequencing of the human genome has revealed a variety of potential new drug targets that are related to previously characterized cytokines, growth factors and receptors; and (2) the drug development pipelines of many pharmaceutical companies contain growing numbers of cytokine, growth factor and receptor-based protein drugs, antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. The Market for Cytokine, Growth Factor and Receptor Reagents is designed for companies that want to capitalize on the vast potential of this dynamic field. Based on an in-depth 30-question survey of over 660 life scientists in both academia and industry, this report details current scientific methodologies, identifies new research trends and reveals levels of satisfaction with laboratory products and vendors. In addition to describing the major objectives of their cytokine and growth factor research, survey respondents identified preferred quantification and activity assays, and the most popular suppliers of antibodies, recombinant proteins and DNA microarrays. The report also specifies the perceived problems with existing products and indicates areas where vendors can focus increased efforts toward meeting researchers' needs. The growing importance of cytokine and growth factor research has attracted many life science suppliers, both large distributors as well as niche vendors, who are competing for a share of this market. Whether your company sells products for basic research, diagnostics or therapeutics, this report provides valuable information on market dynamics and user needs that will help your business to stay ahead of the curve. Report Highlights
Market Opportunities in Cytokine & Growth Factor Research contains over 75 charts and/or tables and over 25 cross-tabulations for the 30 survey questions. Below is a glimpse of the key findings derived from just a few of the survey questions: • The majority of respondents cited "basic research on biological processes" (67%) as the primary research application in which they use or assay cytokines. (Question 3) • When using cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays, respondents most often cited problems or limitations with the "price of assays and/or reagents" (64%) and "low signal-to-noise" (32%). (Question 10) • R&D Systems, Amersham Biosciences and BD Biosciences Clontech were most frequently cited as the respondents' primary supplier of immunoassay kits and reagents. (Question 15) • Respondents were least satisfied with the "price" of antibodies and their "use with fixed tissues." (Question 16) • 41% of the respondents project that the number of DNA microarrays they use in their cytokine research will increase, with 38% expecting an increase of 20-39%. (Question 25) • Only 4% of the respondents are "very satisfied" with the DNA microarray they use for cytokine assays. (Question 28) (electronic copy also includes 1 print copy) | 
